SEDIBENG.- Real Hearts FC has once again been crowned the 2022/2023 SAFA Sedibeng SAB League champions two seasons in a row.
This was after they beat Young Pirates FC 3-0 in aggregate during the Champs of Champs to determine the team that will represent Sedibeng at the Gauteng Provincial Play-offs for promotion to ABC Motsepe League.
These two teams were the winners of SAFA Sedibeng A and B Stream respectively. The Play-offs played in two legs, home and away. SAFA Sedibeng President, Solly Mkhabela was also in attendance to support both teams as the regional president.
The Provincial Play-offs are scheduled to take place at WJ Clement Stadium in Reiger Park on 1 July. Last season Real Hearts FC was crowned the SAFA Sedibeng SAB League champions, however, they couldn’t participate in the Provincial Play-offs after the region failed to comply with SAFA rules. The SAFA Sedibeng 2021/2022 SAB League was declared null and void.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, Mkhabela was pleased with the Play-offs saying that they went smooth and that they never experienced any challenges. He said that these were the best Play-offs and both teams played the best football.
He was also overwhelmed by the attendance of the Heidelberg, Ratanda community who came in big numbers to support the games. He was full of praise for both teams before he congratulated Real Heart FC for being the overall winners.
He told Sedibeng Ster Sport, that there is something the Real Hearts FC management is doing right taking into consideration that this is not the first time the team will represent Sedibeng region at the Provincial Play-offs.
“I must say I was very impressed with the two teams and I have no doubt that Real Hearts FC is going to make us proud. They deserve to be there especially considering what happened last season, and as the region, we will be rallying behind the teams and giving them the necessary support.
“My plea to the Sedibeng clubs is that we put our difference aside and support Real Hearts FC. For now, we are all Real Hearts FC supporters because they represent all of us here in Sedibeng to have an ABC Motsepe League team. We need to have an ABC Motsepe League in our region,” said Mkhabela.
Meanwhile, Mkhabela was also convinced that Young Pirates will be a team to beat next season, the way they played. He said the team is well organized and played beautiful football during the Play-offs and they were unlucky not to win.
